Combined stoker and feed-water pump



1,614,528 f 1 N. M. LOWER COMBINED STOKEB AND FEED WATER PUMP Filed Oct.15 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fin/622609 Jan. 18, 1927.

1,614,528 N. M. LOWER 1 COMBINED STOKER AND FEED WATER PUMP Filed Oct.15 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a2! r 2 A20 24 ,2!

Inventor:

at/iarz ower Jan. 18,1927.

N. M. LOWER COMBINED STOKER AND FEED WATER PUMP Filed Oct. 15 1920 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN M. LOWER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO LOCOMOTIVESTOKER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED STOKER AND FEED-WATER PUMP.

Applicationifiled October 15, 1920. Serial No. 417,072.

The invention relates particularly to means for supplying a steam boilerwith water and .its furnace with fuel. It being known that the quantityof water which may be evaporated in a given boiler is in directproportion to the quantity of a given fuel consumed in the furnace, theobject of the present invention is to provide mechanism for feeding thefuel and water in the approximate proper relative quantities.

An embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described, and isillustrated in the accompanying drawings in connection with the boilerand firebox of a locomotive.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a detail verticallongitudinal section of alocomotive and its tender, some of the parts being shown in elevationand portions being broken away to show internal construction;

Fig. 2 is a detail rear end elevation of the locomotive Fig. 3 is adetail longitudinal section, partly in elevation, of the feed water pumpand the driving motor; and

Fig. 1 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

A portion of a locomotive cab is represented at 10, and the back head ofits boiler at 11. A portion of the locomotive tender is shown at 12.

Fuel feeding or stoker mechanism is provided for mechanically conveyingor delivering the fuel to the fire-box'of the locomotive. Any suitablemechanism may be employed for this purpose. In the form of the devicechosen to illustrate the invention the fuel feeding mechanism is, as toits general features, substantially the same as that disclosed in myPatent No. 1,371,252, of March 15, 1921, comprising a pair of elevatingconduits 13. 14. extending upward' ly through the floor of thelocomotive cab and discharging at 15, 16, into the fire-box through thebaclshead 11 of the boiler, each conduit inclosing an elevatingscrew,.as 17 Fuel is delivered to the lower ends of the conduits 13,14:, through a transferring conveyor conduit, represented at 18, andinclosing a conveying screw 19, the conveying conduit being locatedbelow the floor of the fuel bin of the tender and receiving fueltherefrom.

The stoking mechanism is operated by a steam motor 20, the piston rod ofwhich is attached to a rack bar 21., meshing with pinions 22 for drivingthe elevating screws, and a. similar pinion for driving the transferringconveyor screw 19 through the medium of the shaft- 23. The details ofthe stoking mechanism not being of the essence of the invention, are notillustrated, and this mechanism is included in the present applicationas being typical, the invention being capable of embodiment inconnection with any form of stoker for locomotives with which I amfamiliar.

Water may be fed to the boiler by means of any suitable pump, a simpleand efficient device for this purpose being herein shown and comprisinga cylinder 2d'axially aligned with the motor cylinder-'20, the stem 25of its plunger 26 being attached to the remoter end of the rack bar 21.The induction port,

27 of the pump is controlled by a springseated poppet valve 28, and isconnected by means of a pipe 29 with any suitable source of watersupply, as the tank carried by the locomotive tender.

The eduction port 30 of the pump is con trolled by a spring-seatedpoppet valve 31, and delivers to the boiler through a suitable pipeconnection, as 32, the point of connection with the boiler being locatedas may be desired. For the purpose of illustration this pipe is shownasentering the chamber of the back-head 11.

The fuel feeding mechanism and the pump being both driven by the motor20, it follows that the rates of delivery of the fuel and the watercorrespond, and the relative volume of each is determined by therelative capacities of their feeding means. The quantity of waterevaporated by the combustion of one pound of coal being substantiallyuniform, the two feeding mechanisms are so coordinated that the fuel andwater are supplied in proportions corresponding with their respectiverates of consumption.-

The relative rates of feed of the fuel and water may be easily adjusted,and an arrangement for accomplishing this regulation is preferablypresent as the character of the fuel frequently lacks uniformity.

As a convenient means for securing such regulation with the form ofconstruction shown and described, there is provided a push rod 33,conveniently positioned for use by the operator and shown as extendingdownwardly through the floor of the locomotive cab, and being connectedto one arm 34 of a bell-crank, the other arm 35 of which bears upon astem 36 projecting through a stuffing box 37, and bearing upon the backface of the induction valve 28. By pushing down the rod 23 to a greateror less extent the induction valve is correspondingly held away from itsseat, and the water drawn into the cylinder 24 by the suction stroke ofthe plunger 26 may in whole or in part be returned through the inductionport by the pressure stroke of the plunger. The deck of the locomotivecabin is indicated at A and it will be noted that the engine 20, thepump 24 and the gearing by which the engine drives the pump and thestoker are located beneath the deck A.

\Vhile this is a simple and effective means for securing the relativeadjustment of the rates of feed of the fuel and water, any other meansfor accomplishing this result will come within the scope of theinvention.

lVhile the invention is shown in connection with a furnace for burningcoal, it is applicable to furnaces of other types.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a locomotive steamboiler and its furnace, of stoker mechanism including means forpositively conveying solid fuel to and projecting the same into saidfurnace, a feed pump delivering to the boiler, power means for actuatingthe stoker and pump in timed relation, and means operable during theoperation of'said stoker for varying the relative amounts of fuel andWater delivered to said furnace and boiler respectively.

2. The combination of a locomotive boiler and firebox with a mechanicalstoker adapted to elevate and deliver fuel at definite rates to afirebox, and a water feeding pump for delivering water to a boiler atdefinite rates, of a motor operatively connected with both of saiddevices for operating the same in timed relation, and means operableduring the operation of the motor for varying ing to the boiler, andpower means interlinked with both said stoker and pump for operating thesame in timed relation, said means and pump being located beneath thecab deck of the locomotive.

4. The combination with a steam boiler and its furnace, of a. pumpincluding a cylinder for supplying water to the boiler and ainechaniczilstoker for feeding fuel to the furnace, a reciprocatingmotor comprising a cylinder in axial alignment with the pump cylinder, aplunger in said pump and motor cylinders, a rack bar connecting saidplungers, and a pinion meshing with said rack bar for driving saidstoker in timed relation with said pump.

5. In combination, stoking means, a water feeding pump of the plungertype, a reciprocating motor, a rack bar connecting the pis ton rod ofsaid motor with the pump plunger, a pinion meshing with said rack barfor driving said stoking means, and means for varying the relative ratesof delivery of the fuel and water.

6. In combination with a locomotive boiler and its firebox, of stokermechanism including conveyor mechanisi'n for deliver ing solid fuel toand scattering the same in said furnace, a feed pump positivelydelivering water to the boiler, a steam engine and gearing associatedtherewith for actuating the stoker and pump in timed relation, and meansoperable during the operation of the stoker'for varying the waterdelivered to said boiler thereby changing the ratio of fuel and waterdelivered by stoker and pump mechanism.

7. In combination, a locomotive having a boiler and a firebox, a tender,mechanical Stoker mechanism for conveying fuel from said tender to saidfirebox, a steam engine on one side of said stoker mechanism, a feedpump on the opposite side of said stoker mechanism delivering water tosaid boiler, power means operated by the engine for actuating the saidstoker mechanism and feed pu mp 'in timed relation, said steam enginepower means and pump being under the cab deck, and manually controlledmeans for changing the relative amounts of fuel and water delivered tosaid boiler.

NATHAN M. LOWER.

